Olympians come to town

Mark Cavendish of Britain, left, talks to teammates and overall leader Bradley Wiggins of Britain, right, during the start of the 10th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 194.5 kilometers (120.9 miles) with start in Macon and finish in Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, France, Wednesday July 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Two of British sport’s hottest stars are set to pass through the district this week.

Cycling greats Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish will be part of the Tour of Britain race that rides through Kirkby Lonsdale, Hornby, Melling and Caton amongst other places on Wednesday, September 12.

Stage four of the country’s biggest bike race runs from Carlisle to Blackpool passing through our area between 1pm and 1.45pm, with a scheduled arrival in Kirkby of 1.05pm, 86km into the 156km route, where it will cross Devil’s Bridge.

It is due in Hornby at 1.22pm.

Fans were denied a similar opportunity to see some of cycling’s biggest names last year when the stage was cancelled due to high winds.

Seven-time Olympic medalist and reigning Tour de France champion Wiggins will lead Team Sky in the race that starts in Ipswich on September 9 and concludes in Guildford on Sunday, September 16.

Isle of Man sprint king Cavendish will have a particular interest in the intermediate sprint scheduled in Caton at 1.31pm, which looks set to be the highlight of the race’s passage through the area.

The sprinters will look to gain extra seconds in the dash for the line outside the Station Hotel on Hornby Road on their way to the centre of the village.

When the tour last raced between Carlisle and Blackpool in 2005 a young Cavendish finished third in a stage won by Roger Hammond.

Rolling road closures will be in place along the route between 12.30pm and 3pm to allow the cyclists to pass through.